The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-22
Limestone GAP.
BY HENRY DALE.


"In juns?"
"Yer bet, thickern grasshoppers in Kan
eas sand burrs in Texas, sage brush in
Dakota, an liars in Denver"
Boys, Old Cy don't talk fur nuthin.
Better be saddlin up an prepa'r ter run or
fight, an may be both"
"Thet's jest the size o it," growled the
rough visaged frontiersman known as Old
Cyclone, drawing in his painting steed, and
casting furtive chances down the valley in
the direction he had come.
The scenery about the little camp was
wild and picturesque in the extreme. Rug
ged mountains, some barren and others
dotted with verdure to their very SUBMITS,
rose on every hand Below them was a
lovely valley with a stream like thread of
silver winding through it.
The camp itself was on n bit of table
land, and there was from 1t an excellent
view of the valley for several miles below
Three hardy mustangs were grazing a
short distance from the camp fire, and three
men were seated about 1t, when the fourth,
whom we have introduced by the appelln-
ton by which he was known all over the
West-Old Cyclone-came up on his
horse.
Two of the men seated at the camp fire
We're rough. bronze-cheeked frontiers
men, like Old Cyclone, but the third was
little more than boy. His fair cheek and
tender looking hands were evidence against
his having been long on the frontier. The
three were finishing their dinner, and Bill
Murphy, one of the frontier scouts, had
been entertaining his companions with Il
song. which drew forth from Cyclone the
remark that he had better stop his squall-
ing.
"How far ar they, Cy?' asked old Zach,
the third frontiersman.
"'Rout two milds."
"Great grizzlies, boys. we'd like ter been
TUX right in by the tarnal yarmints!"
The three mustangs were saddled in as
many seconds, and while this operation
was going on Old Cyclone leaped from his
saddle and began stamping the fire into the
earth, thus putting 1t out.
wall, / swow, TenderToot, Yer gettin
purify handy wi leather. Their way We
stitched yer broncho nd do credit to a
reglar broncho buster. Mount, boys; we've
got ter hit the fiat an overtake that wagin'
train afore it strikes the mountings, or
we'll hev the pesky theevin' redskins er
-skalp;n' every man, woman, an child
among EN-"
The face of the youth, who was called
'Tenderfoot among his companions because
lhe had been on the plains only short time,
turned deathly pale. His father, mother,
younger brothers, and sisters were with that
train, and in danger of being massacred by
the Apaches.
The youth, whose name was Charley
Myrtle, was brave lad, and he gripped his
rife, while his teeth were set with an air Of
frmness and determination, though his
cheek was considerably paler than usual.
How far do you think the wagon train
us from the Mountains he asked of Old
Cyclone.
dun know, Tenderfoot, but its more
likely they're in EN- now. They've he'd
time to come to EN- by this time, but eff
they amt crossed the river trey kin git
back to the fiat (prairie) afore the Apaches
come up ter en-"
Can we defend ourselves better on the
praiIie than on the mountain"
"Yer jist bet we kin, Tenderfoot. Here,
fellers. jump yer cayuse an less be maxim
tracks fur Limestun Gap.
The men were in their saddles and soon
Sgalloping at a break neck speed along the
plateau, and then entered a narrow, deep
defle which brought them out into "a sort of
wide canyon.
Charley Myrtle, who was unaccustomed
TO horseback riding, was stiff and sore, and
scarcely able to ride, yet the recollection
that his parents and brothers and sisters
were in danger seemed to give him new life.
Charley asked Old Cyclone, who rode at
his side.
Mounted? Why, Tenderfoot, they never
ride, specially eff they're in a hurry. No,
sir, they're on foot"
Then we can outtravel them?'
"Wall, now, don't know so we'll about
tibet, youngster, said the old scout. Them
air pesky redskins when they git it inter
their head to go kin jist git over ground
about as fast as the next one, In these ere
mountings they kin outrun boss. Why,
they run deers down sometimes"
Then they may overake u.s."
Eyes, they will eff they come onter our
trail unless we mend our gait"
"Did they see you?"
"No."
'"Then they may not find us.
"Yas, eff they turn off some other way,
but they war comm right toward us.
"How manyl"
"Dun know exactly, but thar war at least
q hundred o EN-"
They now came to where the valley was
wider, and the sides became bluffs q hun
.dred feet in height.
Two ranges of mountains converged
about mile further up, in what was known
as Limestone Gap. The valley or canyon
from the point they had now reached
gradually grew narrower until they came &c
tie gap, which was so narrow that two
could scarce ride abreast through it.
at every few rods Old Cyclone dropped
ITO the rear. and looked back down the val
lie, I'd along the tops of the bluffs OF
either side.
THAR Amt red niger in sight yit
boys, ne at last said, gailoping up to wher,
the others we're hurrving their mustang
over the stony ground. IL think we'll 81
ter the gap all right"
The ponies Numbered along over thu
stony earth, and the ring of hoofs echoes
along the canyon until Charley began t
fear they would reach the ears of the pursu
ing savages.
Thar il is, thar it is, cried Old Cyclone
who had forced his horse ahead OF tn
others, "thar's the gap; now, well soon b
sout beyont il"
They urged their horses forward at tn
Sop of their speed, and were soon through
the pass.
Hello, who's yer?" cried Old Cyclone
Who was some distance ahead of the others
In moment every one drew rein. Com